Project description
Uncovering the secrets of anyons
In the intricate realm of quantum physics, the peculiar behaviour of particles unfolds a fascinating puzzle. While three-dimensional systems segregate into fermions and bosons, two-dimensional landscapes introduce enigmatic anyons. Defying conventional rules, these particles possess a unique exchange phase and exhibit partial exclusion. In this context, the ERC-funded ASTEC project delves into the nanoscale collider to quantitatively explore anyon statistics. With an emphasis on topological protection, the project scrutinises the fractional quantum Hall effect, aiming to unveil the mysteries of non-abelian anyons. As we venture into uncharted territories, the ASTEC project promises a breakthrough in understanding, paving the way for topologically protected quantum computing.
Objective
In three dimensional systems, elementary particles are divided exclusively between fermions (which exclude each others) and bosons (which bunch together) according to the phase acquired by the wavefunction when two particles are exchanged. The situation is different in two-dimensional systems which can host new particles called anyons, for which the exchange phase can take any value, and which obey partial exclusion, between fermions and bosons. Interestingly, these quasiparticles keep a memory of the exchanges between them that is protected from local perturbations of their trajectories: one speaks of topological protection. This protection is at the heart of the interest for anyons, as specific types of anyons called non-abelian are the building blocks of topological quantum computing that would be protected from decoherence.
The existence of these quasiparticles was predicted forty years ago in two-dimensional conductors in the fractional quantum Hall regime. However, despite intense experimental and theoretical efforts, direct signatures of their fractional statistics have only been observed recently, offering only now the possibility to characterize fractional statistics and to exploit it for new functionalities.
The purpose of this project is to quantitatively investigate the statistics of anyons by probing their tendency to bunch together or exclude each others in a nanoscale collider. The different phases of the fractional quantum Hall effect offer a very vast and almost completely unexplored variety of anyons. I will characterize the differences between different statistics, including the most interesting non-abelian case. I will also investigate the robustness of the signatures of fractional statistics and to which extent they can be considered as topologically protected. Finally, I will probe anyon statistics in the time-domain regime, where anyon emission is dynamically controlled, which is a necessary condition for quantum information perspectives.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsparticle accelerator
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsfermions
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarequantum computers
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsHost institution
75006 Paris
France